Marrakesh

Thursday Feb 15,2024

Getting good at getting up at 4am. This time not helped by the phone flattening it's battery around midnight and needing to be put on the powerbank. Thanks Teilo, no thanks to the whatsapp from the transfer company.

At least it wasn't raining and I had headphones on and could listen to sounds on the bus going into Cardiff. I even managed to use a code on the McD order machine as they weren't officially open. Flixbus was on late time and then late, we had to change busses at Newport. Must remember to get off at Gatwick North Terminal in future - taking the train between terminals will be quicker. Only about a half hour to wait and security was not a problem apart from getting rid of the water.

Marraketch Airport was busy - nowhere to park the plane, and passport control took a long time.
WhatsApped the driver but he still took about 20 mins to arrive - but I got to the hotel and checked in in time for the evening meal. 

Big problem getting the travel adaptor to work. It is jammed in position with the dustbin and I daren't touch it!

Friday Feb 16

I didn't get to breakfast until about 9am, and it was difficult to find bowls and cheese, so had things in a strange order. Pain au chocolate were not crisp. Anyway got back to room and relaxed reading papers and then got started on the bank records, but I am not sure what I am expecting to find. Intrigued at a message that the lease requires Directors to be Leaseholders. I wonder which lease, will I get a reply?

About 2pm I went out for a walk, visited the shopping Mall - checked exchange rate. Wandered generally with little idea of what I was looking at. Garden of Palm trees was nice except that mot of the signs were in French. Discovered a McD and had an ice cream, nice cone!.Cost 63p

Also discovered I am staying only a couple of hundred yards from the railway station, so a train trip is a possibility.

Early dinner and Facebook video call into Sea Cadet meeting. What a waste of time - they want to do stuff I have ben telling them about for years, and get rid of the paint in storage. Easily moved, and they can pay for getting the boats antifouled in future.

Saturday Feb 17

Into a routine of breakfast, back to room, relax for  a while reading/playing with papers. Then a period of work, translating bank statements into a spreadsheet, before going out into the midday sun.

This was an attempt to do the self guided tour, but I failed. I did get into the old town and discovered all the small stalls, shops and traffic. Lots of bikes zooming down narrow alleys. 

I did find the main square and possibly the souk alongside it. Lots of leather, should have bought a pair of leather slippers, and possibly a belt but baulked at it. Instead went to the railway station and bought tickets for a return journey to Cassablanca.

Sunday Feb 18th

I thought 9.50 was a sensible departure time, but still had to get up early in order to be ready. Noticed the sculpture garden for the first time despite having walked past it several times.

Train carriage was corridor and pretty crowded. Pretty red desert with a surprising number of villages/towns. Cassablanca has a developing tram network. Walked to the seaside mosque, beating the train to Casa Port. Interesting dating system for the notices, moorish calendar v christian. 

Hassan Mosque was impressive, but the museum was closed. Walked back to station, via Casa Port and a McD ice cream and getting blister, (only 9.4miles - need a new insole maybe). Hour to kill so Hot Choc at McD seemed in order, only you got some hot milk and chocolate powder for 15Dh - should have had the 8dh ice cream. Train crowded again on way back, listening to Cautionary Tales. Light at Marrakesh Station was amazing. 

Monday 19th Feb

Last full day. Didn't want to get up, but did. Morning doing the usual computer stuff, it should pay for the holiday, as I appear to be owed some £800 by Beaconsfield. 

Got out about midday and made my way to the square. Thought I had an idea of the mosque mentioned in the tour but quickly got lost. Plenty of traffic. I did eventually, get back to the square and managed to find the stall that had offered some leather slippers for 300Dn, only now they were 500dm. Eventually he took 25 Euro, all I had. Back via McD and a melting ice cream.  7 miles walked.

Quick panic as the plug was not charging but the dustbin is doing a sterling job.

Tuesday 20th Feb

Time to fly home. The breakfast was not open as advertised but I snuck in about 6.45. Forgot the bit of whipping twine on the coat hanger. The lift was late but same as before and airport was a series of queues. Time to kill once inside. 

Flight was really good, clear visibility all the way up through Spain. Got in on time and 3hrs to kill before the bus to Cardiff. McD was a nice walk outside but app being a pain - again! Got into Cardiff only 10mins late, my trusty water container escaped and is still on the bus (only a 1litre plastic bottle but a bit thicker plastic than most - have to buy some orange juice. Rushed to bus stop in Cardiff and came across the conflict between what the stand said would be the next bus and what the app said. The app was correct and it was only a 10min wait for the bus so was back in flat by 23.30. Weather was miserable!

Woke up the next morning to find the roof was leaking, a large puddle on the kitchen floor

See all the photos at https://photos.app.goo.gl/HopfEbLgGPRst3jD9

Down Under - New Zealand

Christchurch photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/ufMkfkUcqRPaRbhV8

Dunedin photos are at:-  https://photos.app.goo.gl/qcWExdtKwYChXrFYA

Queenstown photos are at:-   https://photos.app.goo.gl/F8J5gjCvDf1NTFH2A

Wellington photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/bkLH2QCMLphytCFA6

Auckland photos are at:-  https://photos.app.goo.gl/FkVfVhc68VdNgaY9A

 Monday 1st January

I was able to walk to the airport which was extremely busy. Got through and had about an hour and a half to wait. Air NZ - did not enhance it's reputation - it seems I had failed to book a meal and when I asked for a juice I was told I would have to pay - tea, coffee or water was the choice for us sheep. At least the stewardess was apologetic about it and did offer me one - but the bitter coffee I chose had put me off having anything else. Christchurch flight was better as I had a window seat and the views were spectacular. 

Caught the No3 bus and got off at the park. Same problem as Australia - distances are deceptive. At least the Motel had left the key out and the garage next door had a store so I had someting to eat. 2hrs lost due to time zones so sleep was a problem.

Tuesday 2nd January
I woke at 6am but managed to get back to sleep and woke up at a reasonable time. Called in at office and train station before walking into town. Tourist office wouldn't/couldn't book travel. I gave up and wandered in search of a supermarket. Woolworths was the objective but found somewhere else and got back to the Motel. 

Got online and on phone (hadn't thought to do it from the room) and booked Dunedin and Queenstown with a fiord Tour. Rest of time lazing. I didn't get to the pool. TV is pretty boring and I don't like the weather forecast. Already thinking I should do the same next year. 

Wednesday 3rd January

Transalpine to Greymouth and back. Can only be described as one of the Great Railway Journeys in the world. Spectacular scenery. Followed another couple on the walk to the station (15 minutes) and beat them by taking the short cut discovered yesterday. Greymouth was pretty interesting, lots of information boards, had about an hour to explore. Train got back in at 19.15 and once in I spent the rest of the evening sorting photos.

Thursday 4th January
A lazy morning, despite waking up at 4am I eventually got out of bed and out of the Motel at around 10am. Walk into town intending to go to the Museum. Got there to find it closed but the Art Centre was open and had an interesting display on Ernst Rutherford. On to the Earthquake Museum, which cost and wasn't that good - not specific on areas impacted. From there I tried to find Woolworths but they don't use that brand name here - I had been directed to an office/warehouse location. Distance home would not have given me a green bar and McD was close so I went and had an ice cream. Bought Nuts and Grapes and came back - once again failed to go in the pool, and out of data on this machine.

Friday 5th January

Check out by 10am and out into the mizzle. Someone even offered me a lift, but I wasn't really getting wet. Decided to try Dennys as I had fond memories from USA, however, it did not compare. No substitution allowed and the coffee refills were slow and had to be asked for. So I was out of there by 12. Wandered about town for a while and then waited at the bus interchange. 

Bus to Dunedin was pretty boring, the land was very flat until near the end, but it followed the rail line.

Check in to the Law Courts Hotel was quick and easy - it is quirky, an T shaped room and some pretty old plumbing.

Saturday 6th January

Spent the morning watching American Football using the Kasperski VPN. Out at 11 and down to the Railway station, which was as fantastic as described. Discovered that they do railway journeys so I am booked for the next 3 days. Todays go out at 2.30 so I had time to walk up the hill, architecture and murals are fantastic.

The rail trip Seaside was pretty good as well. I had intended to starve today but Subway tempted me, maybe tomorrow but I have already purchased sandwiches.

Sunday 7th January

Today was The Victorian - an apple for breakfast an early start and then half way back towards Christchurch going over the bit I did yesterday and on to Oamaru. Nice little town, again with some nice old buildings. Indulged myself with Steampunk and a full set of fridge magnets and McD for an ice cream and then a coffee. A chilled out day - too many photos. Discovered I only booked 3 nights at Law Courts Hotel.

Monday 8th January

Got up and wandered to reception. The nice girl suggested booking a room "on line" as she couldn't give a discount, so I went back to the room and got a room for $90 instead of $140. It may have been because I booked a single room, so I am now in a different room, but it suits me. Went to McD feeling guilty and discovered that a mamouth meal is cheaper than what I normally order, so I had some of that and a walk around before getting on the train for the Inlander up the Taieri George to Hinton and back. Including a run past by the train.

Back in Dunedin by 3pm, so I went for a walk to the coast, which was not easy to get to. Waves were impressive, but it has put me off doing Tunnel Beach as the walk there is over a mountain and will be through boring suburbs.

Tuesday 9th January

Time to check out and I discovered that I had forgotten my shirt, left it in the cupboard when I changed room. Luckily, the cleaners had it, so all was well and I was out by 10am. Breakfast at McD an on to complete the walk around Dunedin. More architecture photos and fun navigating. The Bullock Path was pretty steep. Treated myself to an Ice Cream and visited the Museum before getting on the Bus to Queenstown. 

2.30 to 19.30 The Motel had left a key out so I was in and out. Located McD an got food. Nice Cranberries and nuts. Back for half a football game.

Wednesday 10th January

Milford Sound tour, so up at 6am. Had to wait till 7.30 for McD to open. Its a long bus ride which is pretty boring until past Te Anau. Then it gets good. The cruise was pretty good as well, though I thought the skipper went too close to the rocks at times. There were 50kt gusts and it was a catamaran, hole one hull and you have a big problem. Drive back and on time 8pm. I think we just beat a thunderstorm. (although what I thought was rain might have been the air con.)

Thursday 11th January

Thought it best to stay awake from 6am so finished of one American Football game and sorted out booking for bus from Heathrow - I had booked it for Thursday - luckily it could be amended to Wednesday. Got suggested routes from the visitor centre before breakfast. Then, at 10am it was up the hill, a 2,000ft climb up Canterbury Hill. There was nowhere else to go from the top so I had to come down, and had done my steps before I got back to Motel = not yet 2pm. Chilled out to another Football game - Packers v Bears. 3pm and half time I went for a wander around the seashore. More supplies and back in by 5pm. The return trip starts tomorrow.

Friday 12th January
Up at 6am. Usual Breakfast and the bus left at 8am. What can you say about 8hrs on a bus? Got to see Mount Hood, and some pretty scenery. Got lazy and caught the local bus out to the Raceway Motel.

Saturday 13th January

05.45 got up, shower etc and out by 06.25. Passed a couple also going to the train. It went out through the city, not the direction I expected anyway. Pretty good along the coast and over the hills to Picton. Tried to check in for the boat but they hadn't put my name against the booking. Why can't rail companies manage ferries? The boat was pretty crowded and the views not good. It was windy but no waves. Walked to the hotel, room has a view of the Station and a McD. Which I am assured will be open in the morning.

Sunday 14th January

Northern Explorer departed at 08.00. Guess where I had breakfast. Arrived Auckland Strand at 19.30 (about half an hour late) Great journey, got to see the countryside, some coast and volcanoes. Deeply incised by rivers but with massive flat areas stretching off to mountains that suddenly erupt into the sky with the‏ir jagged outlines. However, the spiral was something of a disappointment, like most bridges you cannot appreciate it from the train. Anyway, once in Auckland it was an easy walk to the hotel and an American Football match was available via computer (resisted the temptation to watch on ESPN).

Monday 15th January

Awake at 6am and took in the second playoff game. Got out at 10am and wandered down to the Ferry building and my usual breakfast, just missing the rush. Finally found the Maritime Museum, good lot of dinghy stuff and much on NZ. Found myself wanting to get back to the football, but checked out the bus stop for tomorrow and bought lots (too many) goodies. Back in the room and the computer would not play ball so I went to ESPN and got what I think might have been the fourth game. Heard the result of Dallas/Green Bay so will try and watch but pointless. No idea what time the two Monday games will be on - I should be on an aircraft - we will see.